D&C 113

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 113

Received in March 1838 at Far West, Missouri, containing answers to questions about Isaiah chapter 11 posed to Joseph Smith. The stem of Jesse, the rod, and the root of Jesse are interpreted as referring to Christ and to latter-day servants who would carry out the Lord's purposes.

Scripture

The Stem, Rod, and Root of Jesse Explained

Study note

The stem of Jesse is identified as Christ. The rod is identified as a servant of Christ who is partly a descendant of Jesse and partly of Ephraim, holding great power. The root of Jesse is a latter-day descendant upon whom is laid much power.

1 Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?

2 Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ.

3 What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?

4 Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.

5 What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter?

6 Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.

The Scattered Remnants and Their Gathering

Study note

Questions about the scattered remnants of Israel are answered. Through the priesthood and the power of God, the remnants will be gathered and redeemed in the last days.

7 Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?

8 He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost.

9 What are we to understand by Zion loosing herself from the bands of her neck; 2d verse?

10 We are to understand that the scattered remnants are exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, or give them revelation. See the 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. The bands of her neck are the curses of God upon her, or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 113

Messianic interpretation of Isaiah 11Christ as the Stem of JesseLatter-day servants in prophetic fulfillmentGathering of scattered Israel through priesthood powerConnection between Old Testament prophecy and the Restoration

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 113 1-2 Isaiah 11:1-5

This section directly interprets Isaiah 11, identifying the stem of Jesse as Christ who shall judge with righteousness and equity.

D&C 113 3-4 Revelation 19:15

The servant holding great authority connects to the imagery of Christ and his servants wielding authority in the last days.

D&C 113 7-10 Isaiah 11:11-12

The gathering of the remnants of Israel fulfills Isaiah's prophecy that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 113

Section 113 demonstrates that the ancient prophecies of Isaiah are not abstract poetry but have specific, living fulfillment. The Restoration of the gospel is woven into the fabric of Old Testament prophecy. When we study Isaiah and other prophets, we can find ourselves and our era in their words. The gathering of Israel is not just a historical event—it is happening now through missionary work and temple ordinances.

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